Crossword Genius

Thug about to stop washing pants (5,9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

heavy breathing

'pants' is the definition.
(heavy breathing is panting)

'thug about to stop washing' is the wordplay.
'thug' becomes 'heavy' (both can mean a violent or aggressive person).
'about' becomes 're' (regarding).
'to stop' indicates putting letters inside.
'washing' becomes 'bathing' (bathing is a kind of washing).
're' placed inside 'bathing' is 'breathing'.
'heavy'+'breathing'='HEAVY BREATHING'

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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